How Much Sleep Does a Dog Need?

My puppy doesn’t sleep 18 to 20 hours a day! What should I do?!
Does worrying about your dog’s sleep sound familiar? In this guide, you’ll learn why many common recommendations are completely wrong for you and your dog—and how much sleep your dog really needs to stay healthy.

How Long Should a Dog Sleep?

You’re probably expecting a specific number of hours at this point. But I can’t and won’t give you that—because blanket statements simply don’t work here. Instead, a dog’s healthy sleep duration depends on several factors. Let’s take a closer look:

Age:
Puppies are growing, developing daily, and discovering the world. That’s incredibly exhausting—both physically and mentally. So, puppies usually sleep more than adult dogs. As dogs age, their need for sleep increases again, as senior dogs tire more quickly.
Activity Level:
My dogs run, play, and train. They go on long walks in all weather, do tricks, and practice agility. They also regularly interact with foster animals and guest dogs, which adds social and emotional effort.
They lead physically and mentally demanding lives—so they sleep more than under-challenged dogs who only go for a short walk around the block.
Breed:
Some breeds are naturally calm. Others, due to modern breeding and their heightened sensitivity to stimuli, need help winding down because they’re easily overstimulated by everyday life.
Weather:
In the height of summer, when it’s 30°C (86°F) in the shade, my dogs spend most of the day resting. They take their long walks in the cooler early morning and only go outside again for potty breaks.
During these hot months, my adult dogs easily clock 18 to 20 hours of rest and sleep—because it’s simply too warm for anything else.
During cooler seasons, it’s a different story. We’re out more often and for longer periods. They sleep for shorter times, but more deeply and restfully.
Stress and Strain:
Many people underestimate the toll certain activities or conditions take on their dogs. Cold weather, for example, requires more energy just to maintain body temperature. Mentally challenging training, trips to unfamiliar places, or family visits can also require extra recovery time.
On the flip side, people tend to overestimate the tiring effects of regular exercise. Long, slow walks or playtime with other dogs are great, but once your dog is used to it, it won’t significantly increase sleep duration.

How Much Sleep Do Puppies Need?

You’ll hear and read everywhere that puppies need to sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. But first, ask yourself: Which puppies? Are we talking 3, 5, or 8 weeks old?

At 3 weeks, puppies do sleep a lot—they’re still physically developing, starting to eat solid food, and taking their first wobbly steps.
By 5 weeks, they’re already playing and exploring more actively. They drink less milk and eat more puppy food. They stay awake longer and are more curious.
At 8 weeks, puppies can play together for hours. Several breeders have even timed them and found that 8-week-old pups sleep/rest an average of 15 hours per day. That’s a big difference from the commonly cited 18 to 20 hours.

But let’s get back to those 18–20 hours. These include sleep and rest. Many dog owners misunderstand this and only count deep, solid sleep. However, calm lying down and light dozing also count as rest.

Many new owners also have unrealistic expectations about a puppy’s waking hours. Even if your puppy sleeps 18–20 hours, they’re awake for 4 to 6 hours. And they’re really awake—active, energetic, and curious.

They want to play, romp, explore, sniff, run, and chew. Not just sit quietly in a corner or go for a short walk and call it a day. Like small children, puppies are bursting with energy. This is totally normal and not a reason to worry—as long as they can sleep undisturbed afterward.

So, make sure your puppy has the chance to run and play—in the yard, a safe area, or even the living room—before you expect them to nap again. Yes, that means more than just a few minutes or a quick walk.

How long do Dogs sleep?

How Much Sleep Do Adult Dogs Need?

Recommendations for adult dogs are almost as extreme as for puppies. Many sources say they should sleep 14 to 18 hours a day.

If my dogs slept 18 hours a day regularly, I’d be taking them to the vet to rule out health issues. Such long sleep durations are fine after a big hike or during hot weather, but not every single day.

We walk at least 3 hours daily. Add to that playtime, training, meals, grooming, chewing toys, watching the world from the window, and sometimes even watching TV.
All of this leaves maybe 12 to 14 hours of actual sleep. More after strenuous activities, less if they’re not properly stimulated.

How Much Sleep Do Senior Dogs Need?

As with puppies and adults, it depends. What kind of senior dog are we talking about? Breed, health conditions, and overall state play crucial roles.

There are healthy 18-year-old dogs who snooze for 18 hours a day. There are 12-year-olds who act like youngsters.

More important than watching the clock is watching your dog.

Why doesn’t my dog sleep through the night?

How Can I Tell If My Dog Is Getting Enough Sleep?

New dog owners often worry if their pet isn’t hitting 16, 18, or 20 hours of sleep a day—or they think the dog isn’t.

Instead of stressing, try observing your dog:

Is he sleeping peacefully?
In deep, restful sleep, dogs (like humans) have relaxed muscles and don’t react to soft noises. They recharge even in short bursts.
Does your dog nap when the environment is quiet—like when you’re watching TV, crafting, or working at your desk?
Does he sleep at night?
If your dog sleeps when you do, that’s already a big chunk of daily rest. Even if your puppy wakes up for potty breaks, nighttime still provides good rest.
Does he sleep voluntarily?
Some dogs need help calming down. They have to be guided into „off-duty mode,“ especially working breeds like herding dogs without a clear role in daily life.
If your dog lies down on his own, seeks your company, and relaxes, that’s a great sign he’s managing his sleep well. You just need to make sure you’re not overwhelming him.
Is he energetic and fit?
Lack of sleep has symptoms—though at first glance they can resemble boredom or under-stimulation. Always look at the full picture before drawing conclusions.
If your dog is „hyper“ after a 15-minute walk, it’s not necessarily because he’s overtired—he just hasn’t burned off enough energy yet.

But if your dog is still agitated after multiple busy days at cafés, car rides, and outings—or can’t settle even at home, you might be dealing with sleep deprivation.

Common signs include:

Restlessness
Aggression (even toward themselves)
Lack of focus
Weakened immune system
Quick exhaustion

An overtired dog may be too exhausted to fall asleep—or to stay asleep restfully.

Are there mood swings?
The saying, “Overtired equals cranky,” is true—but often misused. Dogs can be silly or moody for other reasons. But persistent tiredness can cause irritability, moodiness, forgetfulness, and even aggression.
If medical issues are ruled out, these are clear signs of sleep deprivation.

Feel Free to Check the Clock—But Do It Right!

It’s natural to want a frame of reference. You just want to do everything right. But a dog’s sleep needs are just as individual as a person’s.

Some feel great after a few hours of sleep. Others need 9–10 hours at night plus a nap to function properly. And sleep habits change over time and depend on current circumstances.

Want a number to work with? Then consider the context:
Has life been slow lately? Then your dog may be too full of pent-up energy to sleep properly.
Are your walks short? Then your dog has no reason to be tired.
Have you had a packed schedule recently and your dog just can’t wind down? Then cut back on activities and extend downtime between events.

Paying attention to your dog’s individual needs will get you much further than simply watching the clock. And it’s much more relaxing—for both of you.

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